HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale said that Wednesday’s closing of the state Route 53 bridge over Clearfield Creek in Irvona underscores the need for immediate funding for Pennsylvania’s deteriorating roads and bridges.
“The proposal to place tolls on Interstate 80 is far from perfect,” George said. “However, no painless or perfect plan will ever exist, and
it is irresponsible to just say no to tolls on I-80 without offering a viable alternative that would provide immediate funding for our vital infrastructure.”
The PennDOT District 2-0 office in Clearfield informed George Thursdaythat repairs to the 274-foot-long span are being performed “around the clock” and through the weekend. Under a best-case scenario, the bridge would reopen Tuesday with the original weight limits.
PennDOT closed the 68-year-old bridge Wednesday after an inspection on Tuesday revealed deterioration of steel truss members. More than 4,400 vehicles use the bridge daily.
“I’ve been on the phone with Allen Biehler, secretary of PennDOT, to explore possible stopgap measures that would enable the bridge to be reopened to vehicles weighing less than 5 tons or even bringing in a temporary bridge while the repairs are being made,” George said. “However, we may have to bite the bullet for a week or so.”
George said the closure and resulting 25-mile detour is a nightmare for motorists paying more than $3.50 for a gallon of gasoline.
“Fuel prices are obscene, but paying exorbitant prices and also being forced to travel more miles over potentially unsafe bridges is the height of lunacy,” George said. “Little would give me more pleasure than seeing the I-80 toll plan scrapped but not by jeopardizing health and safety.”
George noted that this is the second area bridge to be closed in recent months. The 116-year-old Dysart Bridge near SR 53 in northern Cambria County collapsed last December.
“Late last year, PennDOT identified 217 bridges just in Clearfield County needing improvement or replacement,” George said. “We either find a way to fund our roads and bridges — and fast — or we had better get used to broken bridges and expensive detours.”